Pipe dreams galore

Greater Bangalore on lines of Greater Mumbai?
Highlights of the draft
Vijay Times

HE much awaited formation of Greater Bangalore, by merging the Bangalore City Corporation (BCC) with seven City Municipal Councils (CMCs) and a T own Municipal Council ( TMC) to tackle infrastructure crisis, would get a shape shortly .

Speaking to BVT , Municipal Administration Minister S R Morey said that the process of preparation of a draft copy on Greater Bangalore was on. "The draft would be submitted to the government during the Budget session to be held in April," he said.

"The draft would be kept for debate in both the Legislative Assembly and Council. Later , it would be opened for public discussion and subsequently valuable suggestions from the public will be incorporated," Morey said.

The incessant rains that lashed the City recently left a trail of destruction in and around the City which strengthened the forces of formation of the concept of Greater Bangalore.

Already , principal secretary , urban development Shamim Banu, secretary Subhash Chandra and additional secretary Nilay Mitash of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are working on the modalities of preparing the plan on the lines of Greater Mumbai and Delhi.

If need be, the officials of HUD would be sent to Greater Mumbai and Delhi to incorporate the techniques employed by them," he said.

With Bangalore getting the tag of a metropolitan city , it could expect release of extra funds from the union government for various projects.

Interestingly, Morey said that the number of wards in each civic body would be increased to provide scope for representation from all spheres of the City .

A main authority of the rank of a chief secretary or additional chief secretary would be appointed as commissioner to monitor the administration. The commissioner would be assisted by at least six joint commissioners. The Greater Bangalore would be classified into six zones to provide better administration, Morey said. The places surrounding the Bangalore would get better infrastructure and civic amenities, he added.

With the five year term of BCC coming to an end, the Greater Bangalore and delimitation of constituencies would be formed this year end itself. The concept of Greater Bangalore was touted as the panacea for endless problems faced by the citizens living around the Bangalore City , Morey said.

4 Draft on Greater Bangalore to be introduced Budget session on Assembly .

4 HUD officials to visit Greater Mumbai and Delhi

4 Number of wards under each civic body to b increased

4 Greater Bangalore would be classified into six zon for better administration

4 Greater Bangalore and delimitation of constituenci to be formed by year end